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It's August, and students are getting ready to go back to school across the Salt Lake Valley. Yet even as excitement about learning grows, the rising cost of basic school supplies presents a significant financial burden for too many Utah families. That's why United Way of Salt Lake rallies volunteers, investors, and resources through our annual Stuff the Bus campaign to provide backpacks and school supplies for over 10,000 students across six school districts.
Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors, supply drive hosts, donors, volunteers, and supporters like you, we fulfilled a record number of requests for supplies from schools this year. That means more students can show up on the first day of school equipped with the tools they need to succeed. In this month's newsletter, read more about Stuff the Bus, our emergency activation to support residents impacted by the North Union Apartment fire in Midvale, and more.
Yours in service,
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Roni Scheidler
Volunteer Engagement Director |
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PROGRAM UPDATES
Stuff the Bus Equips 10,000+ Students for Back to School
We just wrapped up our 16th annual Stuff the Bus campaign, and your support made it more impactful than ever before. This year, 51 supply drive hosts rallied their workplaces and community groups to collect school supply donations throughout the summer, and our generous sponsors and donors contributed more than $74,500 to purchase backpacks and school supplies in bulk.
All of these efforts culminated last week at the South Salt Lake Community Center where more than 300 corporate and community volunteers came together to count and sort 155,878 individual school supplies; fill 8,321 backpacks with essentials like notebooks, pencils, and highlighters; and prepare everything to be distributed to 44 different schools and youth-serving organizations across the Wasatch Front. The numbers are impressive, but the true impact is felt by every child who can now start the school year confident and ready to learn.
"I feel it's important to set students up for success because when a confident student shows up in school on the first day, which for some people can be very intimidating, it just sets them off on the right foot so they can focus on learning and not focus on the things that they don't have. And that's why we continue to support Stuff the Bus every year with United Way of Salt Lake."
- David Stahl, United Way of Salt Lake Board Member and Head of Business Banking at NBH Bank |
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211 Utah Supports Displaced Residents of Midvale Apartment Fire
When a building fire broke out at the North Union Apartments in Midvale on July 31, displacing more than 200 families, United Way of Salt Lake and the 211 Utah's Salt Lake team jumped into action to provide support. Through a partnership with Airnbnb.org, we helped more than 80 families access free temporary housing so they have somewhere to stay while they figure out what comes next.
In the days following the fire, 211 Utah team members also helped impacted residents navigate services and resources to find clothing and household items, replace lost documents, access pet resources, and more. Nobody thinks a disaster like this will happen to them, but if it does, you don't have to go through it alone—211 Utah is available to provide information, support, and one-on-one assistance.
Learn More
If you have been impacted by the Midvale apartment fire, dial 211 to get connected to emergency housing and other essential resources.
View Emergency Resource List |
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DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Chevron Fuels Community Impact
For decades, Chevron has demonstrated that strong communities are built through long-term investment and hands-on partnership. Since beginning refinery operations in Utah in 1948, Chevron has supported education, environmental stewardship, and initiatives that help Utah children and families thrive.
Through its sponsorship of Stuff the Bus, Chevron is ensuring local students have the school supplies they need to start the school year ready to learn and succeed. This year, 15 Chevron employees volunteered to count and sort thousands of donated school supplies, helping prepare items that will reach students across our community.
Chevron's commitment extends beyond Stuff the Bus through its longstanding support of United Way's Legislative Preview and other community initiatives. We're grateful for Chevron's partnership and its continued investment in creating brighter futures for Utah children and families. |
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Leading With Purpose, Packing for Impact
United Way of Salt Lake board members rolled up their sleeves to support Stuff the Bus, packing 500 backpacks for local middle and high school students. Their hands-on involvement is a powerful example of what it means to lead with purpose: bringing their time, expertise, and energy directly to work that will benefit students across the community.
"Supporting local schools through the Stuff the Bus program is a great way for the United Way of Salt Lake to connect businesses and the community with current students and our future workforce," said board member, Dave Smith. "A backpack with school supplies removes the worry and stress some students have with the start of school and instead gives them a head start to focus on learning."
The board's commitment extends beyond their role — they are active champions for students, helping turn community support into real opportunities for the next generation. |
Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
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Day of Caring
Sept. 10, 2026
We're coordinating dozens of corporate and community volunteer groups to complete service projects across the Salt Lake Valley.
Learn More |
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